WTS-Boston DEI in Motion: World Braille Day - January 4
January 2025
January 4th is World Braille Day, an international celebration of the importance of braille. The United Nations first designated World Braille Day in 2018, and the annual celebration falls on the birthday of Louis Braille, the creator of braille.
Braille is a tactile writing system used by people who are blind or have low vision, consisting of six dots used to represent letters, numbers, and symbols. Braille was originally developed in 1824 for French, and there are currently braille codes for 133 languages.
Before the invention of braille, raised printed letters were used as a method of increasing the accessibility of printed materials for visually impaired people. However, these types of letters were difficult to read by touch and did not offer a solution for writing. Braille provides a method for independent literacy for blind and low vision people.
The 2006 U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities considers braille essential for education, freedom of expression, access to information, and social inclusion.
In transportation, braille provides important information to blind and low vision transit riders, including braille labelling on fare machines, elevators, and signs. Transit riders can also request braille schedules and timetables from their local transit authority.
New technologies such as refreshable braille displays (RBDs) can display digital text as braille, providing immediate access to digital information for those who are blind or visually impaired. An RBD is a tactile electronic device that is typically used in tandem with a computer or smartphone. Small pins are raised and lowered in the RBD, and one line of text is translated at a time into braille. Since reading braille is typically faster than listening to a screen reader, some people who are blind or low vision prefer to use an RBD to access digital material.
To make public meetings more accessible, consider bringing accessible handouts in braille if you are providing printed materials. When you receive a request for braille materials, you can ask the requester if they prefer paper braille materials, or an electronic format.
References:
United Nations - World Braille Day - January 4
United Nations – Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities